Gads Hill Center, a social service organization established in 1898, creates opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources and community engagement.

JOB SUMMARY:

The lead teacher in Gads Hill Center’s center-based early childhood program is responsible for ensuring that comprehensive early childhood education services are delivered to children in a safe, nurturing environment. In this position, lead teachers are expected to collaborate effectively with their teaching team to provide a seamless education experience for children. This position is responsible for planning and implementing structured educational activities based on program curriculum. At all times, lead teachers must ensure adherence with licensing standards and funder requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaborates with teaching team to provide a classroom environment that is reflective of diverse races, cultures and languages; adapt teaching in response to children’s differences.

Documents children’s growth and development using written observations, photography and assessment tools. Develops systems to ensure that classroom meets deadlines and adheres to program requirements.

Utilizes developmental screening tools to determine individual needs of children and assists in individualizing curriculum.

Provides guidance and meets with classroom team weekly to complete lesson plans, reporting requirements, and discuss individual children‘s needs. Brings up these observations/needs/concerns in weekly staffing meetings. Attends staff meetings, in-service trainings, and other appropriate child development conferences and workshops.

Participates with the classroom team in planning preparing and implementing developmentally appropriate child initiated and teacher directed activities for individuals and small/large groups of children. These activities should address needs identified in assessments of children and promote multiculturalism, present challenges and develop critical thinking skills.

Assists center personnel in planning field trips and other enrichment activities.

Welcomes parents into the classroom, develops a positive relationship with them and provides experiences and activities that enhance their roles as the primary influence in their child’s growth and development. Assists parents in identifying and fully utilizing available community resources. Utilize the assistance of the Family Support Staff, Mental Health Consultants, and other professionals to refer parents as needed.

Encourages parents to become involved in the classroom, as well as the Parent Committee and Policy Committee.

Schedules, conducts and participates in home visits twice per year at designated time.

Demonstrates knowledge of DCFS, Head Start and Preschool for All standards and implements them in all aspects of work.

Understands and adheres to NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and Code of Ethics.

Ability to pass a criminal record and child abuse/neglect registry check.

A passion for the mission of Gads Hill Center.

NOTES:

Additional Salary Information: 10 months

About Gads Hill Center

Gads Hill Center serves families in the communities of west and southwest Chicago with programming that provides early childhood education, academic support and enrichment, social-emotional development and family support. Our programs include home visiting for pregnant mothers and young children, center-based early childhood education, after-school academic support, middle school mentoring and STEM-focused college readiness for high school students.
Family support and parent engagement are key components of Gads Hill Center’s programs. Our staff supports parents in identifying their needs and setting goals. Through comprehensive community partnerships, we then connect them to the resources necessary to meet their needs, achieve their goals and strengthen their families. Our programs are designed to empower parents in their role as their child’s first teacher and support them as lifelong learners.
Our vision is that all individuals, regardless of where they start, will achieve their full potential. We execute this vision by providing programs that respond to the changing needs of the families and communities that we serve. Since 1898, Gads Hill Center has continued to expand and grow to better serve children, youth and families.